Retrospect and prospect of ionospheric weather observed by FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC and FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2
Retrospect and prospect of ionospheric weather observed by FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC and FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2
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DOI：
10.1007/s44195-022-00019-x
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发表时间：
2022-12-01
影响因子：
0.8
通讯作者：
Tsai, Ho-Fang
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Liu, Tiger Jann-Yenq;Lin, Charles Chien-Hung;Tsai, Ho-Fang
2006年4月15日，由6颗微小卫星组成的FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC(F3/C)星座以72度倾角发射进入800公里高度的圆形近地轨道，由全球定位系统无线电掩星(RO)统一监测电离层。每颗F3/C卫星都配备了一个观测135.6 nm辐射的TIP(微型电离层光度计)和一个用于进行电离层断层扫描的三频信标(TbB)。首次在全球范围内研究了电离层的三维电子密度结构和赤道电离异常、中纬度槽、韦德尔/鄂霍次克海异常等的形成机制。此外，还报道了一些新的发现，如等离子体洞穴、等离子体耗竭湾等。F3/C电子密度剖面和地基GPS总电子含量可用于监测、预报和预报电离层空间天气。F3/C记录的GPS信号闪烁的S4指数对于电离层不规则性监测以及定位、导航和通信应用是有用的。F3/C于2020年5月1日正式退役，代之以FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2(F7/C2)。2019年6月25日，由6颗小卫星组成的F7/C2星座以24度倾角发射进入550公里高度的圆形近地轨道。F7/C2搭载了一台先进的TGRS(全球导航卫星系统)无线电掩星系统，每天可追踪4000多条RO剖面。每颗F7/C2卫星上都有一个用于电离层层析成像的RFB(无线电参考信标)和一个用于测量离子温度、速度和密度的IVM(离子速度计)。F7/C2 TGRS、IVM和RFB将继续扩大F3/C在电离层空间天气预报方面的成功。
FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (F3/C) constellation of six micro-satellites was launched into the circular low-earth orbit at 800 km altitude with a 72-degree inclination angle on 15 April 2006, uniformly monitoring the ionosphere by the GPS (Global Positioning System) Radio Occultation (RO). Each F3/C satellite is equipped with a TIP (Tiny Ionospheric Photometer) observing 135.6 nm emissions and a TBB (Tri-Band Beacon) for conducting ionospheric tomography. More than 2000 RO profiles per day for the first time allows us globally studying three-dimensional ionospheric electron density structures and formation mechanisms of the equatorial ionization anomaly, middle-latitude trough, Weddell/Okhotsk Sea anomaly, etc. In addition, several new findings, such as plasma caves, plasma depletion bays, etc., have been reported. F3/C electron density profiles together with ground-based GPS total electron contents can be used to monitor, nowcast, and forecast ionospheric space weather. The S4 index of GPS signal scintillations recorded by F3/C is useful for ionospheric irregularities monitoring as well as for positioning, navigation, and communication applications. F3/C was officially decommissioned on 1 May 2020 and replaced by FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (F7/C2). F7/C2 constellation of six small satellites was launched into the circular low-Earth orbit at 550 km altitude with a 24-degree inclination angle on 25 June 2019. F7/C2 carries an advanced TGRS (Tri Gnss (global navigation satellite system) Radio occultation System) instrument, which tracks more than 4000 RO profiles per day. Each F7/C2 satellite also has a RFB (Radio Reference Beacon) on board for ionospheric tomography and an IVM (Ion Velocity Meter) for measuring ion temperature, velocity, and density. F7/C2 TGRS, IVM, and RFB shall continue to expand the F3/C success in the ionospheric space weather forecasting.